The new split EP between Greg Mendez & Nervous Dater’s Rachel Lightner recently hit the open airwaves. Mendez continues to negotiate through dreariness, in melodic personal narratives that reach for an escape in a relatable folk manner. These songs march in a semi-subdued, relieving ache, united in self-evaluating isolation. Lightner taps into a similar thread of delicate openness and evaluation.

Cave People recently dropped its new EP Salt, which was recorded by Joe Michelini (of American Trappist) at Berlin Studios. All proceeds will go to Juntos, a Philly-based organization that is fighting for immigrant rights. A folk, bare-bones vulnerability unfolds on Dave Tomaine’s latest album. An air of loneliness and regret stirs, yet there is a beauty to it all. That fragility wears into you as the music plays on.

Truth In Comedy is the forthcoming album from Steady Hands, featuring ex-Modern Baseball drummer Sean Huber in the forefront. Due out on October 19 via Lame-O Records, “Indifferent Belushi,” the lead single from the Brian McTear-produced album, begins with spright keys and a personal admission. Off and running on close to empty, the melodic tune taps into a recollection of attempting to get lost in distractions, partying, etc. and not feeling satisfied. There’s a multifaceted, pleasantly-inviting casualness to the anthem, with a chorus that naturally bookends the summer.

Are you ready to blow off work on Monday?! LA skate-punks FIDLAR will be bringing their carefree, Left Coast party vibes to Union Transfer this Sunday, September 16. They’ll be accompanied by Toronto alt rockers Dilly Dally and Montreal garage-punks NOBRO, as well as a bunch of cheap beer and illegal treats (we’re sure). To enter for a chance to win a pair of tix, just send an email to thedelimagazinephiladelphia@gmail.com with the subject line "Fuck It Dog, Life’s A Risk." Please also include your cell number in the body of the message (in case of an emergency). Good luck!

Named after a previous project that Katie Crutchfield had started with former Swearin’ bassist Keith Spencer, Great Thunder, the new EP from Waxahatchee, is out now via Merge Records. The sparse, piano-anchored instrumentation directs the light onto the sincerity of Crutchfield’s vocals/lyrics. One is comforted by the familiar folk setting, as a thoughtful, meditative solace the whirlwind of news from the outside world. Waxahatchee is set to perform at World Café Live on Friday, September 28, as part of Philly Music Fest.

New Arrangements, the debut LP from the duo of Korine, is scheduled for release on Halloween via Born Losers Records. Directed by band members Morgy Ramone and Trey Frye, the new video for “Heaven’s Servant” occupies the dynamics of an haunting dream, while its protagonist navigates hallowed grounds. The bouncy, tormented electropop causes one to pause and ponder, before propelling you to the dance floor. Embrace the darkwave grooves tonight at The Barbary, where they’ll be joined by Lust for Nothing, X88b88, and Wingtips, with DJ sets from Void Vision‘s Shari Vari.

Krust Toons: "Eminem Was Right" by Tedd Hazard – please feel free to drop him a line at teddandthehazards@gmail.com if you dig or have any funny ideas. You can also check out more of his illustrations and animation shorts HERE.

The quartet of Downtrodder recently shared a new EP III, which is available on cassette and vinyl via War Fever. The band comes out prepared to fight for what it believes in. Unwilling to sit back and compromise, the songs call out societal hypocrisy across a range of heavy-hitting subjects. A roaring-n-rumbling, act-now perspective is voiced. You can catch the band at The Sin Bucket on this Saturday, September 15, with Solarized, Husbandry, and Yarrow.

Let the gentle, acoustic strums and country-tinged hymnals of Shannen Moser‘s I’ll Sing take your weary heart back to the warmth and comfort of home. The reflective nature of each recording carries us to familiar places, opening up a floodgate of feels. Allow them to wash over you. I’ll Sing is out now via Lame-O Records, and you can stream and purchase it below. Moser will be performing this Saturday, September 15 at Underground Arts with Okkervil River, and don’t miss her co-headlining, dual record release celebration with labelmates Thin Lips on Saturday, September 22 at the First Unitarian Church.

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Ever since garage rockers RunHideFight shared their demos with us last year, we’ve been eager to hear an official release. With Geeta Simons (Rockula, Swisher) on lead vocals and guitar, John Terlesky (Brother JT) on lead guitar and vocals, Christine Weiser (Mae Peng) on bass, and Jon Kois (The Three 4 Tens, Marah) on drums, the band is set to drop its debut 7” vinyl single, “He’s a Jerk,” on September 28 via Hidden Volume Records. However, they’ll be hosting an early celebration for its arrival tonight at Johnny Brenda’s, where attendees will get a free download code, as well as the opportunity to pre-order the limited pressing. RunHideFight will also be supported by local glam-rock outfit Creem Circus and the heavy sounds of Sheena & Thee Nosebleeds. The heatwave is breaking, but don’t be afraid to get a little sweaty this evening at the beloved Fishtown watering hole! (Photo by Chris Sikich) – Alexis V.

Other places to be out and about this weekend…

Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.) FRI RunHideFight (Record Release), Creem Circus, Sheena & Thee Nosebleeds, SAT Levee Drivers

Boot & Saddle (1131 S. Broad St.) SAT The Chairman Dances (Record Release Show), Brother Martin, Bird Watcher

Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St.) FRI DJ Deejay, SAT Haunted Homes/Fame Lust

Electric Factory (421 N. 7^th St.) SAT Mannequin Pussy

World Café Live (3025 Walnut St.) FRI (Upstairs) Conjunto, DJ Rahsaan, SAT (Upstairs) Rust/(Downstairs) Grunge-A-Palooza Unplugged: Love Killed Kurt , Flannel, Purple to the Core, White Limo

The Fire (412 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Human Shield, SAT God Forgive These Bastards, SUN God Forgive These Bastards/Fight For Your Friends

MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut St.) FRI Alright Junior, Spelling Reform, SAT Gnarbot

Ortlieb’s Lounge (847 N. 3^rd St.) FRI Canine 10, The Rectors, SAT Jesse Gimbel,Weekend Athlete, SUN Knightlife, Nipper the Band

The Barbary (951 Frankford Ave.) FRI Mavis the Dog, Water Temple

Bourbon & Branch (705 N. 2^nd St.). SAT J Solomon

Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) FRI DJ Dav, Reed Streets, SAT DJ Deejay

Fergie’s (1214 Sansom St.) SUN Rusty Cadillac 

Connie’s Ric Rac (1132 S. 9^th St.) FRI Tribute to Lenny and Beebe: Decontrol, Stepping Razor, Thorazine, Disoriental, SAT The Tone Bandits, Mt Vengeance, The Mojo Machine, Mr. Unloved

Voltage Lounge (421 N. 7^th St.) FRI Eric Vain, SAT Thunder Snow Cone, Atomic Cretins, Narcos Family Band

The Tusk (430 South St.) FRI Molly Rhythm, Crossed Keys, Lamplighters, Ramona, The Up Up Ups, The Lot, SAT

Century (1350 S 29^th St.) FRI Night Raids, Roadkiller, Trash Cats, Zombie Shark, SAT Live Not On Evil, Seeing Snakes, Teenage Bigfoot, Mid Rats, Cut the Tension

Morgan’s Pier (221 N. Columbus Blvd.) FRI DJ Beatstreet, SUN Michael Thompson

Frankie Bradley’s (1320 Chancellor St.) FRI DJ Chris Urban, SAT Ian St. Laurent

The Grape Room (105 Grape St.) FRI Styrofoam Dinosaur, Hootsie (EP Release), Jake Joyce, SAT Black Cat Habitat, Grunge Puppy, Egocentric Plastic Men

Ardmore Music Hall (23 E. Lancaster Ave.) FRI Start Making Sense, Flux Capacitor

Everybody Hits (529 W. Girard Ave.) FRI Joey Sweeney & The Neon Grease, HiSoft, Ali Awan 

Creep Records (1050 N. Hancock St.) FRI Marcelyn (Album Release), A Day Without Love, Elaine Rasnake

Last October, Chris Caulder (of Seldom Family) recorded/filmed singer-songwriter Eliza Edens performing “Nightbird” as part of the Ousted Records Sun Porch Session #11. Sunlight, an acoustic picking pattern and Edens’s elegant vocals intersect, creating a solemn, nostalgic, folk feel. As autumn begins to approach, the lullaby taps into youthful memories, making things temporarily slow-down, while serving as a marker for how fast the years move by. In the meantime, the performance is a calming force, helping to bring another busy workweek to an end. (Photo by Anthony Mulcahy)

Dear Deli Readers,

This is a big one! We are very excited to announce the lineup for The Deli Philly’s 10^th Anniversary Bash on Saturday, October 6^th at PhilaMOCA. Yup – that’s right; for nearly a decade now, our branch of The Deli has been proudly exposing you to the wonderful, homegrown talent that has fostered this kick-ass music community of ours. It’s been an honor and a privilege to document this slice of musical history and share it with you, and we hope to continue on this journey with you for many years to come.

Headlining this momentous occasion will be glam quartet Sixteen Jackies, who also recently released our June Record of the Month. If you’ve never experienced them live, you are certainly in for a treat, and if you have, then we’ll see you there. They’ll also be joined by the anthemic songwriting of American Trappist, the brainchild of former River City Extension frontman Joe Michelini. And feel free to submit yourself to the ladies of Madalean Gauze, who will be bringing their naughty brand of post-punk/psych-rock hijinx to the mausoleum’s hallowed halls. Yeah – it’s on. Looking forward to sharing this very special evening with you! More deets about the celebration HERE.

Much love,

Q.D. Tran & The Deli Staff